The Dublin Senior Football Championship is approaching the quarter final stages after some scintillating displays of football in the last 16 round. The quarter finals will comprise entirely of division one teams after any hopes of an underdog upset were eradicated this week.
On Wednesday night it seemed like a kicking contest between Dublin inter-county stars Cormac Costello and Kevin McManamon would be the narrative as St Jude’s played third division Whitehall Colmcille. However, neither displayed their usual high standard of football. Costello was just returning to fitness after battling a virus and McManamon was marked out of the game by a resilient Whitehall full back line. It was left to Kevin’s brother, Brendan, who is also familiar to the Dublin panel, to ensure St Jude’s would prevail victorious by ten points on a score line of 1-13 to 0-06. Brendan McManamon’s four frees and solitary point from open play accompanied D.A. Donnelly’s 1-05 which left Whitehall with no chance as St Jude’s progress to the quarter finals.
In the second match of the night in Parnell Park, Diarmuid Connolly stole the show as St Vincent’s steamrolled St Sylvester’s 3-12 to 1-09 with a comprehensive victory. The reigning All Ireland Club Champions looked comfortable throughout the 60 minutes against a resilient Malahide outfit. Although corner forwards Rory Trainor and Tomas Quinn scored 1-03 and 0-03, respectively, it was Diarmuid Connolly who would be on the minds of every spectator departing the Donnycarney venue after scoring that goal. Connolly set off on a 40 yard run dissecting the Syl’s defence with ease before a neat one-two with Mossy Quinn resulted in Connolly volleying the ball into the net of Dominic McDonnell. The return of centre back Ger Brennan from a lengthy absence was a welcome boost for the Marino side who are on course for retaining their Dublin Senior Football Championship title.
In O’Toole Park on Wednesday evening, Lucan Sarsfield’s beat a young Raheny side to progress to the next round. Former regular Dublin starters, Paul Casey and Stephen O’Shaughnessy marshalled Lucan’s backline flawlessly and it was Emmet O’Conghaile in the Lucan forward line who kicked his team to a deserved victory. It is clear to see why O’Conghaile has been omnipresent in Dublin underage panels, a player who no doubt will make his mark on the Dublin Senior side very soon. Raheny were without their lively attacking duo of Rutherson Real and Gavin Ivory and succumbed to a 2-12 to 0-12 defeat. Despite the brave efforts of young midfielders Brian Fenton and Paddy O’Higgins, Raheny never looked like challenging their opponents as Lucan prevailed with ease.
The one match on Friday evening in Parnell Park saw Templeogue Synge Street knock Paul Caffrey’s Na Fianna out of this years Championship. The final score was 2-09 to 0-14 as a spirited Na Fianna side were undone by Eoghan O’Gara who was unplayable at times in the T.S.S. full forward line. Similar to their senior hurling team who were undone by Lucan Sarsfields, Na Fianna are a very young team. Although no team has the time to be in transition, there is certain hope for the future. T.S.S. will find it extremely difficult as they meet current champions St Vincent’s in the next round.
On Saturday afternoon, it took St Brigid’s extra time to beat Skerries Harps in an entertaining clash in Chanel. Skerries were fully deserving of their one point lead as the 60th minute approached. However, it was Philly Ryan who broke the county Dublin team’s hearts with a last gasp equaliser. Ryan’s point made up for two earlier kickable misses from under the black spot. Skerries never recovered from the last minute equaliser and eventually lost out 0-15 to 0-13 after extra time. It was a deflated performance from Skerries in extra time as they just didn’t have the legs to keep up with their opponents. Tony McEntee’s team needs a much improved performance if they are to overcome the challenge of St Jude’s in the quarter finals.
Ballyboden St Enda’s set up a quarter final tie with Lucan Sarsfields after they made light work of Ballinteer St John’s. Ballyboden beat their local rivals by 16 points on a score line of 3-15 to 0-08. Dublin inter-county hurler Conal Keaney relived his inter-county football form as he notched 1-02 with an impressive display. Ballinteer St John’s will look to regroup after a heavy defeat from a team a division above them.
In Parnell Park on Saturday, a lacklustre performance from St Oliver Plunkett’s was enough to see them past St Anne’s on a score line of 1-12 to 0-09. The Cabra outfit who have the Brogan dynasty – James, Darragh, Alan, and Bernard - at their disposal, shot nine first half wides in thirty minutes riddled with mistakes. Pat McDonagh’s team were lucky to come away with a six point victory which flattered Plunkett’s. Bernard Brogan was the scorer of the games only goal which galvanised his team to knock a proud St Anne’s out of this years Championship. There is plenty of room for improvement if St Oliver Plunkett’s are to pose any threat against bookies favourites Ballymun Kickhams in the quarter finals.
In the final match of the last 16 round, a depleted Fingal Ravens team lost out to Ballymun Kickhams by 21 points. Ballymun are awash with inter-county level stars. Dublin’s James McCarthy organised their defence diligently from the half back line and Dean Rock kicked 1-05 in an accurate display of football. Ballymun looked ruthless as they easily dispatched of their north county Dublin opponents. It is hard to look past Ballymun for this years Championship title, but there is many mouth watering clashes penned in for the quarter finals. Times and venues for all quarter final matches will be announced on Tuesday.
Full list of Dublin Senior Football Championship Quarter Final matches:
St Vincent’s vs Templeogue Synge Street
Ballymun Kickhams vs St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh
Ballyboden St Enda’s vs Lucan Sarsfields
St Jude’s vs St Brigid’s
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